The situation was calmed down by the Security Forces cracking down on the mobs that roamed towns and villages attacking Muslim homes and businesses.

The security forces actions came after the government made a series of decision.

The Cabinet of Ministers met last evening and decided to impose a countrywide curfew and ask the police and armed forces to act independently, well-placed sources told RepublicNext.

As President Maithripala Sirisena is out of the country the meeting cannot be called a formal Cabinet meeting, but the decisions taken there were implemented according to these sources.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe.

Immediately afterward Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake and the Acting Inspector General of Police Chandana Wickremeratne made statements warning the rioters that they would be dealt with sternly.